Saratoga
Cognac, rye and sweet vermouth. A 1880s cousin of the Vieux Carré.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 28% ABV
Ingredients
- 30 ml Cognac
- 30 ml Rye whiskey
- 30 ml Sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 30 ml cognac into the mixing glass
- Pour 30 ml rye whiskey into the mixing glass
- Pour 30 ml sweet vermouth into the mixing glass
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
About the Saratoga
The Saratoga was printed by Jerry Thomas in 1887 and is named after the spa town of Saratoga Springs in New York.
The vermouth cocktail family. Vermouth reached American bars in the 1860s and 1870s, and bartenders began stirring it with whiskey, gin and brandy. That gave us the Manhattan and the Martinez, the ancestor of the Martini. Drinks in this family are stirred rather than shaken, and they are all about the balance between the spirit and the aromatised wine.
Saratoga FAQ
What's in a Saratoga?
30 ml cognac, 30 ml rye whiskey, 30 ml sweet vermouth, 2 dashes angostura bitters, garnished with lemon twist.
How strong is a Saratoga?
About 28% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 2.4 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is close to a straight spirit, so sip it slowly.
Should I shake or stir a Saratoga?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve a Saratoga in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
